Apprenticeship
This course is the formal training component of an Australian plumbing apprenticeship.
Course name:
CPC32420 Certificate III in Plumbing
Before beginning this course, you must have a valid training contract with an employer.
This qualification is designed for plumbing apprentices who are employed full time as an apprentice and have a formal contract of training. The qualification will provide learners with the skills and knowledge required to seek registration with the Victorian Building Authority as a registered plumber.
Master Plumbers offers learners two training plan options in this qualification to meet employer requirements:
- General Plumbing – Roofing – five plumbing streams including water, sanitary, gas, roofing and drainage.
- General Plumbing -Roofing and Mechanical – six plumbing classes including water, sanitary, drainage, gas, roofing and mechanical services
There are no specified prerequisites or entry requirements for learners in this qualification.
However, it is recommended that learners are able to demonstrate language, literacy and numeracy skills equivalent to Level 3 of the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF).
All new entrants to the Certificate III in Plumbing will be required to undergo a pre assessment of their language, literacy and numeracy designed to identify their level of ability against the ACSF.
It is recommended that learners hold their Construction Industry Induction card (CPCCWHS1001 Prepare to work safely in the construction industry [or equivalent]) prior to enrolling in this qualification.
In some cases, applicants have completed a Pre-Apprenticeship or hold a Construction Industry Induction Card (or Basic work-safety white card). Both are recommended, but not a prerequisite.
Training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding.
Course structure
Master Plumbers offers two training-plans: General Plumbing-Roofing and General Plumbing-Roofing and Mechanical.
The following units of competency are required for the award of this qualification:
General Plumbing-Roofing: 43 core units and 26 electives
General Plumbing- Roofing and Mechanical: 43 core units and 40 electives
Delivery arrangements
This qualification incorporates approximately 3.5 years off the job (RTO based) structured training and delivery. The units required to complete the qualification have been grouped into stages to reflect the skill and knowledge development of apprentice learners over that time. Stages 1,2 and 3 are approximately 1 year each and Stage 4 is 6 months.
Stage 1 Foundation skills
This stage is delivered over 1 double block and 7 x single week blocks of training approximately every 4 weeks for both General plumbing -roofing and General Plumbing – roofing and mechanical apprentices.
Stage 2 Plumbing installation skills
This stage is delivered over 9 x single week blocks with training approximately every 4 weeks for both General plumbing-roofing and General plumbing -roofing and mechanical.
Stage 3 Trade level skills
This stage is delivered over 7 x single week blocks (General plumbing-roofing stream) or 9 x single week blocks (General plumbing-roofing and mechanical) of training approximately every 4 weeks.
Stage 4 Trade level skills (cont.)
This stage is delivered over 4 x single week blocks 4 x single week blocks (General plumbing-roofing and mechanical) with training approximately every 4 weeks.
Training delivery methods include;
Practical activities and learning tasks completed in the practical workshop (approximately 70% of the course)
Face to face teacher lead classes (approximately 30% of the course)
Self directed learning activities using a range of resources such as Australian Standards and industry reference materials
The course is delivered at the purpose built facilities at the Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre (PICAC).
Course duration
Each stage is delivered over a set period of time, or block. Blocks can run for a period of 1 to 8 week, or up to one year.
General Plumbing-Roofing and Mechanical
1643 nominal hours or 31 Blocks delivered over approximately 3.5 years (42 months).
General Plumbing-Roofing
1310 nominal hours or 25 Blocks delivered over approximately 3 years (36 months).
Block dates
Current apprentices can access block dates via their student portal.
Master Plumbers (TOID #3937) delivers the qualification CPC32420 Certificate III in Plumbing with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding.
Learner fees for government funded courses are calculated in accordance with the State Government of Victoria’s 2024 -25 Standard VET funding contract - Skills First program fee guidelines. Learner fees include tuition fees and materials fees, in. This course also may incur an additional cost for tools.
Learners may be eligible for a government funded position in this course.
Are you eligible for a government funded place?
Tuition fee concessions may also be available for eligible learners.
Contact Master Plumbers on 9356 8921 for more information or to confirm your eligibility for a government funded place.
For further information visit the Victorian Skills Gateway to find out more about your eligibility to receive a Victorian Government subsidy.
Fees summary
The following fees and charges below are valid for enrolments as of 1 January 2024.
Please note that apprentices will be invoiced twice for stages 1-3 and once for stage 4.
If total yearly fees are in excess of $1500 apprentices will be invoiced in two (2) instalments;
first instalment (tuition and materials fees) at the start of the apprenticeship year
second instalment (materials fees) at the midpoint of each stage.
Fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment.
CPC32420 Certificate III in Plumbing
(This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding)
General Plumbing – Roofing (Full Fee)
| No Units | Hours | Tuition ($) | Materials ($) | Tuition + Materials ($) | Gov’t Contribution ($) | |
| Stage 1 (Semester 1) | 11 | 238 | 833.00 | 595.00 | 1428.00 | 3689.00 |
| Stage 1 (Semester 2) | 14 | 247 | 864.00 | 617.50 | 1482.00 | 3828.5.0 |
| Stage 2 (Semester 1) | 13 | 250 | 875.00 | 625.00 | 1500.00 | 3875.00 |
| Stage 2 (Semester 2) | 17 | 243 | 850.50 | 607.50 | 1458.00 | 3766.50 |
| Stage 3 (Semester 1) | 11 | 197 | 689.50 | 492.50 | 1182.00 | 3053.50 |
| Stage 3 (Semester 2) | 3 | 135 | 472.50 | 337.50 | 810.00 | 2092.50 |
General Plumbing-Roofing (Concession)
| No Units | Hours | Tuition ($) | Materials ($) | Tuition + Materials ($) | Gov’t Contribution ($) | |
| Stage 1 (Semester 1) | 11 | 238 | 166.60 | 595.00 | 761.60 | 3689.00 |
| Stage 1 (Semester 2) | 14 | 247 | 172.90 | 617.50 | 790.40 | 3828.50 |
| Stage 2 (Semester 1) | 13 | 250 | 175.00 | 625.00 | 800.00 | 3875.00 |
| Stage 2 (Semester 2) | 17 | 243 | 170.10 | 607.50 | 777.60 | 3766.50 |
| Stage 3 (Semester 1) | 11 | 197 | 137.90 | 492.50 | 630.40 | 3053.50 |
| Stage 3 (Semester 2) | 3 | 135 | 94.50 | 337.50 | 432.00 | 2092.50 |
General Plumbing- Roofing and Mechanical (Full Fee)
| No Units | Hours | Tuition ($) | Materials ($) | Tuition + Materials ($) | Gov’t Contribution ($) | |
| Stage 1 (Semester 1) | 11 | 238 | 833.00 | 595.00 | 1428.00 | 3689.00 |
| Stage 1 (Semester 2) | 14 | 247 | 864.00 | 617.50 | 1482.00 | 3828.50 |
| Stage 2 (Semester 1) | 13 | 250 | 875.00 | 625.00 | 1500.00 | 3875.00 |
| Stage 2 (Semester 2) | 17 | 243 | 850.50 | 607.50 | 1458.00 | 3766.50 |
| Stage 3 (Semester 1) | 11 | 197 | 689.50 | 492.50 | 1182.00 | 3053.50 |
| Stage 3 (Semester 2) | 11 | 230 | 805.00 | 575.00 | 1380.00 | 3565.00 |
| Stage 4 (Semester 1) | 6 | 268 | 938.00 | 670.00 | 1608.00 | 4154.00 |
General Plumbing- Roofing and Mechanical (Concession)
| No Units | Hours | Tuition ($) | Materials ($) | Tuition + Materials ($) | Gov’t Contribution ($) | |
| Stage 1 (Semester 1) | 11 | 238 | 166.60 | 595.00 | 761.60 | 3689.00 |
| Stage 1 (Semester 2) | 14 | 247 | 172.90 | 617.50 | 790.40 | 3828.50 |
| Stage 2 (Semester 1) | 13 | 250 | 175.00 | 625.00 | 800.00 | 3875.00 |
| Stage 2 (Semester 2) | 17 | 243 | 170.10 | 607.50 | 777.60 | 3766.50 |
| Stage 3 (Semester 1) | 11 | 197 | 137.90 | 492.50 | 630.40 | 3053.50 |
| Stage 3 (Semester 2) | 11 | 230 | 161.00 | 575.00 | 736.00 | 3565.00 |
| Stage 4 (Semester 1) | 6 | 269 | 187.60 | 670.00 | 857.60 | 4154.00 |
** Fees may vary slightly depending on enrolled units.
* All learners who enroll in CPC32420 are trade apprentices and may be eligible for government funding.
Assessment methods include:
- Skill demonstration through practical installation tasks relevant to plumbing work
- Completion of written assessments relating to essential plumbing knowledge
- Application of knowledge during practical activities (e.g. calculating quantities and creating material lists, plan tasks, develop drawings, read plans))
- Preparation of SWMS to ensure fundamental WHS requirements
Reasonable adjustments to our assessment methods are available for learners with specific needs. These will be discussed with a Master Plumbers assessor.
This qualification provides a trade outcome in plumbing. Occupational titles may include: Plumber, Plumber and drainer, Plumber and gasfitter, Gasfitter, Roof plumber, Mechanical services plumber. This qualification is suitable for an Australian Apprenticeship pathway.
Apprentices who successfully complete this qualification will be required to sit the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) external examination if they wish to achieve registration for specific classes of plumbing work.
Recognition
On successful completion, learners will receive the qualification CPC32420 Certificate III in Plumbing.
Learners who do not complete the full qualification will receive a Statement of Attainment for those unit/s which have been successfully completed. Learners will receive credit for these units where they form part of any other accredited course or training package qualification.
VBA (Journeyman) Exam Dates:
TBA
Conditions:
Exams are conducted at the Master Plumbers Phoenix Street workshop.
Apprentices should anticipate that the exams will require three (3) full days.
VBA exams are only for apprentices that have completed their training with Master Plumbers.
Only apprentices that have satisfactorily completed ALL training and assessment requirements will be eligible to sit the exams.
Apprentices must book by contacting Master Plumbers ten (10) business days prior to nominated exam date. You will receive confirmation if eligible to attend.
These dates are NOT for apprentices wanting to resit their exams. Contact Master Plumbers separately for possible resit dates and associated fees.
For further information on eligibility and specific requirements call 9356 7300 or email [email protected]
